Welcome to the Literary Website of Robert Vaughan – Writer, Editor, Workshop Leader

What a Week

The endless wait was best scripted by none other than Samuel Beckett in his infamous Waiting for Godot. This show, once voted as the most significant English language play of the 20th century, is subtitled as a “tragicomedy in two acts.”

This sums up what this week has felt like. Of late, I’ve been plagued by an anonymous physical constraint. Beginning in my lower back, it’s now moved to a numbing feeling down my left side: buttocks, entire leg and foot. Subsequently, and with my physician’s advice, I have had muscle and nerve tests done, blood drawn, urine sampled, x-rays taken. While great for fresh writing material, visiting three different hospitals in one week is, to say the least, daunting. Throw an adverse reaction to a drug I’d never before taken into the mix. And still, I have no clue what this numbness is. Sciatica? Possibly. Disc drama? Who knows. Going through this has given me extraordinary insight into what difficulties other people must endure on their paths to wellness.

Simultaneously, in the second act, there have been some wonderful moments in my writing life. I was able to hold my first Thunderclap! Press, first edition in my hands. Thanks to stellar editor, Amanda Deo and her amazing insight at gathering some exciting, talented writers for this edition. My piece is called “Tardy” and for more information, or to order a copy, go to this website:

Also, my flash fiction piece called “The Service Remains” is published in the current issue at Short, Fast, and Deadly. When I saw that editor Joseph Quintela was assembling issue 23 entitled “Silence is a Knife” (The Political Issue) I knew I’d written a piece to submit. My fear with this flash is that it is highly controversial. I had to trust that I know the words that the father says in the piece are ‘mine’ as an author, but so not ‘mine’ as Robert. A slight caveat, but not an apology. And I admire Joseph for taking on controversial, and political writing. So many editors shy away from this; he embraces it. And his own writing is stunning as well.

Then, this afternoon, I was contacted by Richard, the editor at Postcard Shorts. He let me know that he has published two more of my submissions: “Organs” and “World’s Fair.” The last piece I had read in the Tuesday Roundtable writer’s group at Redbird- Redoak Studio, in which I’m a member. I had some insightful and profound feedback and revised before I sent it out for consideration. So thanks, Tuesday writers, and Jeannee our fearless leader.

And there you have it! Activity which keeps me inspired, and more submissions to come. I am also negotiating to possibly become a guest editor at an online literary magazine, and selecting a piece of fiction to read at the Cafe Fixx event on June 3rd.

Tomorrow, I will have a vegan lunch with some of my favorite writer friends.

Life, although sometimes number than others, is overall good. Laughter is key, the most thorough medicine.

Hi Honey,
So proud of you getting your work out there. You go guy !
I’m sorry about your leg and the numbness. To me it feels and I relate to the Sciatica nerve. My leg is always numb, I just got used to it.
Don is home and doing better, they said, “He can go back to work next wk.” We’ve both been recuperating. My back from sitting for 2 wks. with him and he’s just improving. I thought for sure we’d lost him a few times. Scary, but now on the uphill and all’s good.
Take care of you and know your loved, MOM

Great stuff and I like that you are getting more exposure than just your great blog. Did this help you to obtain your publications? Not sure how that works. In any case, I especially enjoyed the piece at Short, Fast, and Deadly. Powerful stuff.

How interesting to see your progress in motion. I appreciate your generous spirit in sharing these feats of acceptance from online journals and magazines. I miss your daily blogs, but I understand that you must be spending an enormous amount of time with submissions and the aspects of trying to find a great home for each piece of writing.
I do hope your numbness gets better. I had sciatica for some time and rest, painkillers and good spirits helped to nurse it back to health. Happened around my pregnancy. Hang in there, sounds like you have a great attitude about it.